Neeleshwar sits on the Malabar coast of far northern Kerala, on an undeveloped beach under coconut palms, with backwaters and paddy immediately inland. Eighteen thatched cottages, each named for a Sanskrit quality rather than numbered — Ananda, Shanti, Karuna — and each carrying commissioned artwork.
This is the quietest coast in Kerala and the least visited, which is the reason to come. An infinity pool sits between the cottages and the sand; the Priya AyurvedicAyurvedaA traditional Indian system of medicine that treats health as a balance between three bodily humours, or doshas.Read in the glossary Spa handles the treatments.
Why We Place Guests Here
- Theyyam — the trance-possession ritual particular to Malabar, running October to April — is the most extraordinary thing in Kerala, and this is the right base for it.
- The Lotus, the hotel's thirty-two-metre all-teak houseboat, runs one- and two-night cruises through the Valiyaparamba backwaters with its own chef. It is a different order of thing from the Alleppey fleet.
- Far north Kerala has almost no tourism infrastructure; eighteen cottages on an empty beach is the whole appeal.
The Table
- Annapurna — largely vegetarian
- Meenakshi — seafood and light meals by the pool and beach
- Priya Ayurvedic Spa for treatments
The Elevated India Signature
A Theyyam in season, reached at night in a village shrine rather than staged on a lawn.
Questions, Answered
What is Theyyam?
A ritual art of north Malabar in which a performer, elaborately costumed and painted, is understood to be possessed by the deity. The season runs roughly October to April and performances take place in village shrines through the night. Neeleshwar Hermitage is among the few places set up to take guests to them.
What is the Lotus houseboat?
The hotel's own thirty-two-metre all-teak vessel with two bedrooms and its own chef, running one- and two-night cruises through the quiet Valiyaparamba backwaters. It is out of service June to September.
Journeys That Take You There
Photography: Photograph courtesy Neeleshwar Hermitage